Traveling back thirty years to Conan, intercepting Princess Eri

"So that's it!"

Yukiko nodded in sudden realization, a knowing expression on her face.

"I knew it was Chikage..."

She almost blurted out, "Why would Chikage steal the Terracotta Warriors?" Fortunately, Eri, who was standing next to her, reacted quickly and subtly reached out and gently tugged at Yukiko's sleeve.

Yukiko paused, immediately realizing she had almost let something slip, quickly covered her mouth, her big eyes darting around, and gave a dry laugh at the clueless Shizuka Ikenami.
"Hehe, I mean... Chikage is so lazy today, still sleeping so late, right, Glasses Girl?"

Eri glanced at her helplessly, without replying, but her eyes conveyed the message, "Say less."

Although Shizuka Ikenami felt that Yukiko's reaction was a bit strange, she knew perfectly well why Chikage Tomizawa was sleeping in late, and immediately snorted coldly.

"Ms. Chibo, what exactly is going on with this notice?" Lin Xiuyi asked. "Could you tell me in detail? For example, where was it found, what is its contents, and are there any special markings or clues?"

Chibo Jinghua lowered her head and took a sip of tea, then seemed to notice that Lin Xiuyi was asking her a question.

The girl slowly put down her teacup, picked up a white handkerchief, and gently wiped the corner of her mouth.

Then, she raised her eyelids and gave Lin Xiuyi a cold glance.
“This morning,” Ikeba Shizuka began slowly, her voice calm and even, as if she were recounting a report unrelated to her, “Uncle Takeshi called me and said that during a routine pre-opening inspection, the staff at the festival exhibition hall found a printed card near the display stand where the Chinese terracotta warriors were placed. The card had a notice written in English and Japanese, stating that the terracotta warriors would be taken away within three days. It was signed ‘Phantom Thief Lady.’”

She paused, as if remembering something, and added,
"Oh, right, something else happened last night. There was a burglary at Shinzo Mito's villa, which is his collection room. According to a preliminary inventory this morning, several antique paintings and calligraphy are missing, and the police are investigating."

When the words "last night" were mentioned, Ikeba Shizuka's eyes darkened almost imperceptibly, and her tone seemed to grow colder.

She couldn't help but recall the disheveled appearance of Lin Xiuyi and Fu Zeqianying after their late-night rendezvous in the corridor, and a strange sense of irritation and disappointment rose in her heart again.

Her already aloof face now seemed to be covered with a thin layer of ice, exuding a chilling aura.

The other girls keenly noticed the obvious change in Ikenami Shizuka's attitude towards Hayashi Shuichi.

They exchanged puzzled glances.

Eri looked thoughtfully at Shizuka Ikemura's cold expression, then at Hideaki Hayashi's slightly tired but still composed face.

Yukiko couldn't hide her thoughts, looking at this and then that, her face full of curiosity that "something's going on."

Midori Orikasa and Ruri also sensed that the atmosphere was a bit strange. Shizuka Ikenami had been very kind and enthusiastic to Shuichi Hayashi before, so how did she suddenly become like this overnight?
Did something unpleasant happen between the two?
Girls are sensitive, especially when it comes to emotions and interpersonal relationships; their "radar" is always exceptionally sharp.

They were almost certain that something had happened between Lin Xiuyi and Ikeba Shizuka that they didn't know about.

Lin Xiuyi had no time to explain or speculate on why Chibo Jinghua's attitude had suddenly changed.

The news of the burglary at the Mito house sent a chill down his spine; it must refer to their intrusion with Kuroba Toichi last night.

But that's not the point. The point is that forged notice! If we don't find out who's behind this soon, and they actually take action or cause some incident, Tomizawa Chikage will be in trouble.

“Miss Chibo,” Lin Xiuyi suppressed his anxiety and spoke again, his tone even more earnest, “Where is the original of that notice letter? Could you…”

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Ikenami Shizuka.

"I can't be of any help with this."

Chibo Jinghua raised her hand and gently straightened her sleeves, then turned her gaze to the window, as if she no longer wanted to look at Lin Xiuyi.

"The task of capturing the Phantom Thief Lady falls under the Third Investigation Division of the Osaka Police Headquarters. Although Uncle Gosuke holds a high position, he can't directly interfere in the specific cases handled by his subordinates, as that would easily attract gossip."

"He called just to let me know that such a high-profile case had occurred locally."

Lin Xiuyi was taken aback by her rejection, but he understood that it was indeed not Chibo Jinghua's responsibility, and she had no obligation to help.

He quickly adjusted his strategy and changed his request:
"In that case, would you please take me to the exhibition hall of the festival? I'd like to go there myself and see if I can find any clues."

He wanted to go to the site to investigate, hoping to find some clues from the location and method of the notice's placement, or from the exhibition hall staff.

Upon hearing this, Ikeba Shizuka's delicate brows furrowed slightly, as if she also found the request somewhat troublesome.

She paused for a few seconds before replying in a slightly distant tone, "I don't have much time today. I have a few scheduled tea parties to attend to."

The girl paused, seemingly reluctant, but still offered a solution.
"How about this, I'll have my driver take you there."

This answer further convinced Eri Kisaki, Yukiko, and the others present that there was definitely something going on between the two of them!
Given the almost excessive enthusiasm and care that Ikenami Shizuka has shown to Hayashi Hideichi these past two days, and knowing that Hayashi Hideichi is going to investigate a case, and to an exhibition hall that may be dangerous, based on her previous personality, she would most likely have offered to drive him there herself, or at least shown great concern.

But now, not only is she cold, she even makes excuses about not having time to drive me there, and simply hands it over to the driver!
The contrast before and after is too obvious! It can't be explained by simply saying "I'm not free today".

Lin Xiuyi himself didn't care much about this, or rather, his mind was entirely on the notice and he had no time to pay attention to the change in Ikeba Shizuka's attitude.

Hearing that a driver would be providing a ride, he felt that was enough.

"Then I'll trouble Miss Chibo to arrange a driver." Lin Xiu nodded, then, as if remembering something, turned and walked out of the living room, saying as she went.

"Please have the driver wait a moment. I'll go call Qianying. She should be interested in this too. Let's go take a look together."

He said it as if it were perfectly natural.

Eri Kisaki, Yukiko, and the others knew that Chikage Tomizawa was the Phantom Thief Lady. Now that someone was impersonating her, as the person involved, she naturally had to go to the scene to find out what was going on, and even try to stop or find out the imposter.

However, Shizuka Ikemura was completely unaware of this inside story! (End of Chapter)